what is the best way to lay new sod? do i need to put a fertilizer down first?

Answer 1

I am getting ready to lay sod down myself.. the very best thing you can do.. and will be rewarded with healthy grass for all the years, is prep your dirt.. if you have clay soil, add some sand. talk to a landscape supplier about what kind of dirts they have, they will always have the perfect dirt to add to the kind of soil that is in your area.. add at least 2-3 inches of this good top soil. everyone i know that did not do this ended up have problems with there grass later, and put alot of money into different products trying to fix the problems... after you have leveled off your dirt, you can start to lay your sod.. when laying it, when you are done with one row, offset the next row of sod.. make sure the side pieces touch the sod beside it, leaving no gaps.. once all the sod is layed, you can rent a roller, you put water in the middle of the huge roller for weight and then roll over the sod to squish the roots down into the dirt.. I have never done this roller and i have had great results anyway.. water water water.. lots and lots for awhile.. do not fertilize until the second mowing.. but if you have prepped the soil, you will not need to do this even that soon.. good luck

Answer 2

When I have laid down sod, I get the underlying soil good and wet, then sprinkle a little bit of starter fertilizer, which won't burn the grass. Scotts makes this in small bags sold at any home improvement or landscape store. The keys to successful sodding are proper soil preparation, wetting the ground, breaking up the dirt on the root side of the sod, laying it in place tightly butted up against the other pieces, then watering heavily while mashing it into the ground. This last step gets the roots into the existing soil. Once the sod is in, water for several hours daily for the first week, then every other day for a week. After that, let Mother Nature take over. I have used this method everytime with much success. Should work for you too. Good luck!

Answer 3

Do not put fertilizer down first you run the risk of burning the sod. It is already totally pumped with nitrogen and that's why it's so green. lay it down and use ROOTS 2 fertilizer to help it root in. Water it well is the most important thing. but don't overwater it because that will create the perfect enviroment for a fungus.

Answer 4

First thing is do you have top soil under it to lay on? After you lay it, water it with feed and that is it. Too much fertilizer will make you cut your grass twice a week and more. Lime is good to spread on it. You must have a broadcast spreader.

Answer 5

When I lay new sod, I put down peat moss down before i layed the sod, then roto-tilled it in to the top-soil

Answer 6

You can, but you'll need to water it in if it's granular. You dont' want ti burnign the roots until you get a chance to water it in.

If it were me, I'd lay the sod, then water in well. Once it's established w/ a week or so of slow and drenching waterings, then you can "winterize" it... whatever that means for your area of the country. (Local nursery will know.)